An Ice Cold Kate favorite - Stevensville, Maryland. Essentially, this is where it all began. The Bay Bridge Airport (W29), located on the southeast side of the bay bridge, situated with the west end of the runway kissing the water. I lived and worked in Annapolis, MD, Ben in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It was either a quick hop over the bay, in the plane back to PA, or over the bay via the bridge, for a weekend in Annapolis. But our weekends always started at the Bay Bridge airport.

What to do - Where to stay - Where to eat in Annapolis:

A short trip across the Bay Bridge takes you to Annapolis - the sailing capital of the world.

Sandwiched between the Chesapeake Bay and downtown Annapolis sits the U.S. Naval Academy. Take a tour. You will not regret it. You don't have to be a history buff to appreciate the deep ties of the academy to the city's culture. The combination of patriotism and youthful vigor as displayed by the academy make it impossible to not feel a plethora of emotions.

Downtown Annapolis's Main Street also provides great shopping and dining. Looking to have a cold one? Check out McGarvey's. Owned and operated by a former fighter pilot, this unique pub is a local favorite. Adorned with fighter pilot helmets, gear, and memorabilia, it doesn't take an aviation lover to appreciate McGarvey's. Pusser's Caribbean Grill and Restaurant is a great place to watch the sailboats and powerboats try to make the narrow way up Ego Alley to show off. Try their famous Painkiller while you are there.

If you have the time, I would recommend a boat tour of Annapolis and the Bay. It is a great way to learn about the town and see it from a different perspective.

Across the drawbridge, in the small village of Eastport, you will find Davis' Pub, a local hangout for sailors just coming off the water from Wednesday evening races.

I highly recommend staying a night or two in Annapolis. This blog could not do justice to the numerous places to eat and see in this seaside town. Check out this website for lodging suggestions but we have had wonderful experiences at Loew's Hotel and Historic Inns of Annapolis.

What to do - Where to eat in Stevensville:

If time does not allow for a Bay Bridge crossing, fear not, plenty of things to do. Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House is located a few miles south from W29. For those of you with smaller planes, you can also land at Kentmorr Airpark (3W3) - a 2,400' grass strip within walking distance to the Crab House. Located on the soft sands of the waters edge, The Crab House has a Tiki Bar as well as fresh caught, steamed blue crabs. You can even relax in a swaying hammock strung feet from the bay. Even closer to W29 is Hemingway's Restaurant and Marina and the Stevensville Crab Shack. If you live or are staying relatively close, the Crab Shack is a great place to order crabs for pick up. We're quickly approaching our 3rd annual Crab Fest!

Stay tuned to Ice Cold Kate's for future posts about Easton and St. Michael's, Maryland (close by trips to Annapolis).

Ben's 2 Cents

If possible, make the approach for W29 over the water onto runway 29. Paralleling the bridge and descending over the sparkling water you can get a great glimpse of sailboats gliding around the bay. The crowd on the deck of Hemingway's will undoubtedly get a decent glimpse of you. Its a helluva good spot to grab a brew, judge a few landings, and comes with a great view of the bridge. Watch for deer & birds, especially at night. I recall one evening, Kate had the pleasure of Tasmanian Deviling it out to the runway, scaring Bambi and friends away as I made my approach. Overall, the facility is as simple and accommodating as their budget allows. I'm guessing the budget is tight. Regardless, the FBO staff and maintenance hangar personnel were always happy to see my dog. Good enough for me. If no one greets you with open arms, a kiss, and a ride over the bridge....average wait time for an Uber is approximately 30 minutes. Oh yeah, if you're getting crabs for pickup, DON'T FORGET a heavy duty wagon. That lesson, sadly, was learned the hard way. Guess who got to be the wagon. I'll give you a clue.... It wasn't Kate.
Mouth watering crabs & ice cold beer. Nuff' said. Not quite. I don't think I've thanked Kate enough since we've met for sharing her love of Annapolis, but I'm not sure I ever could. The city's unique aura always got me excited to visit her. I've sensed that many of the people that live there do so out of their pure infatuation with the city. I can see in their eyes that they are never going to leave. And I don't blame them. The brick façade buildings and the hundreds of sailboats bobbing in their docks take on a personality all of their own. The city is old yet thrives with a young and vibrant energy. Its a feeling of witnessing American history and its future fusing together. I miss it. So, thank you Kate. I'll never forget the time we shared in your city. Hey Kate, what are you doing this weekend?

Annapolis, Maryland